FEATURES

INTRODUCTION

A Feature is a Three Dimensional aspect of a Model or Physical Object

parent sketch

Most features require a Parent Sketch before it can create a 3D feature

A cube is an extrusion of a square
A cylinder is an extrusion of a circle or a revolution of a square

By default, when a 3D feature is generated, its Parent 2D Sketch is nested beneath it in the Design Tree

At any point, you may edit the Parent Sketch, but be aware that you're editing events "in the past" and that can effect the "timeline" negatively

additive

This would be like modeling with Clay
- Add each feature to the previous

subtractive

This would be like sculpting Marble
- Start with a encompassing Bulk, remove features as needed

IDENTIFY FEATURES FIRST

Before you begin you model, you should think about which features you'll need

A pencil might be a Revolution (the entire profile) and a Cut (Hexagonal to keep from rolling) - 2 Features
A golf ball might be a Revolution (to create a sphere) a Revolve-cut (to remove a dimple) and a Pattern (to repeat the dimple) - 3 Features
A piece of paper would just be an Extrusion (quite thin) - 1 Feature

These are rough examples and you're at liberty to make anything as many features as you'd like, but on your boss' dime, be as efficient as possible!

SYMMETRY & Patterns

Feature Symmetry is different than Simple Symmetry

A simple cylinder is symmetric from top to bottom but you wouldn't mirror this
A pair of glasses has features on one side that are identical to the other, this is Feature Symmetry

When there is Feature Symmetry, use the Mirror Command

If a feature repeats along a line and/or around a circle, use the Pattern Command

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